Double Crossing

Well, things have been a little quiet around here. Work is slow with me, so I've been learning how to be a good housewife, as well as practicing motherhood. Lots of cooking, cleaning, laundry and sewing. Lots of canning projects have also been underway, but there's too many to blog about so here's the list: peach butter, blueberry-lime jam, pear butter (from our pear tree in the front yard) and vegetable stock. The stock is a new one for us... and I am excited to have 7 quarts at my disposal. During the winter months, we go through cartons of the stuff (which are at least $3 a quart), so this should definitely save time and $$$. Here's me in the process of making mozzarella (oh yeah, we have been experimenting with cheese making also - can you tell we're trying to fit all kinds of things in?):

We also managed to squeeze in a trip to the Folk Music Festival in Sisters, OR two weekends ago. High desert mountain country, amazing folk music artists, gorgeous camping along the Metolius River... We even managed to fit in a great hike. Here are two of the 'Sisters" mountains framed in the tree from atop Black Crater.

This past weekend, Adam tried his hand at a new form of cycling: Cyclocross Racing. This is sort of a blend of road cycling and mountain biking. The bike looks like a road bike with knobby tires. You ride on a blend of terrains: pavement, gravel, dirt, grass.... It's also best if its wet and rainy b/c everyone gets completely filthy. I'm talking mud in the teeth. It also incorporates set-up barriers that force the riders to dismount their bikes, pick them up, and hop over the barriers. It also involves lots of cowbell jingling and heckling from the crowds.

Luckily it was bright and sunshine-y for Adam's first race - at which he did very well. He placed first on the first day in the beginner's category, and in the middle of the pack on the second race day when he decided he should stop sand-bagging and move up categories. :) I was head photographer at the race, running around the course trying to get the "sweetest shots" of my dear husband racing. I think I did alright:

And behold, the latest "baby bump" photo. 6 1/2 months here. Tick tock!